For Version 9, there really wasn’t many changes to the main floor.  We really just discussed a few things with Mike.  We talked about changing the curved stair case to be squared off so that a window can be added downstairs in lieu of the display shelf.  Mike felt like the staircase really added some much needed architectural detail to the house.  And that it’s a key focal point to entering the basement.  Since we will be able to look over the banister to the right of the fire place in the great room to the space below, the curvature will really be something unique for us.  In the master bath we discussed adding in shelves on each side of the bathtub for storage and display.  I originally only was thinking about shelves on the side closest to the shower, but Mike reminded us how symmetrical that room is and really adding it on both sides is the only thing that would make sense.  He’s going to look into that and see if it could work for us.  We added a few more transom windows upstairs and to wrap it up we removed a portion of the deck that was covered outside.

Preliminary Design Version 9 – Main Floor

Downstairs, we added two sets of transom windows off of the main room, and we discussed storage room 1.  We’re thinking that the purpose of that room will be to store the boys’ toys and we moved the door to the other side of the room (by the bathroom)…that means increasing that space.  We also would like to at least install the stub outs for a future washer & dryer.  That way when the boys are old enough we can give them their own laundry room.  I swear that laundry is endless in our house!  Moving the door to the other side of the storage room also gives us a great usable space in the boys rec area.  In our house now we have a great art center for the boys to color, craft and create…I’m thinking that corner will be perfect for just that!

Preliminary Design Version 9 – Lower Floor

We spent the last few weeks driving around and looking at single story homes, took tons of pictures and really honed in on what we wanted for the exterior.  And Mike really delivered.  We thought that there’s really no reason for us to build as tall as what we were thinking in Version 8.  And that although we love it, the maintenance and costs would be more reasonable if the roof were lowered.  This means less of a pitch (which is better for installation and upkeep).  And although we love the look of the large single gable, splitting it into two still give us the coastal look that we’re going for.  In the back of the house, the gable over the great room was raised slightly which gave us the look we wanted on the interior of the house (so that the vaulted ceiling would be perfect).  The windows in the great room are gorgeous too!  The exterior is really looking great and I think we’ve nailed it!

Preliminary Design Version 9 – Exterior